Litoria verreauxi

Verreaux's Tree Frog

Also: Alpine Tree Frog (subspecies alpina), Verreaux's Frog, Whistling Tree Frog

+ 62 kb Verreaux's Tree Frog (Litoria verreauxi)

A highly variable species abundant in a wide variety of habitats. A clumsy climber but a strong swimmer and fair jumper. Usually a ground dwelling species near water.

Distribution and habitat

Adults can be found from coastal lagoons through all habitat types to alpine bogs and disturbed areas, but are most often associated with water. Not found in semi-arid or arid zones. Eggs and tadpoles can be found in still water in ponds, dams, lakes and roadside ditches.

There is a detailed distribution map available for: Victoria.

Calling

Males call more commonly from the ground, often several metres from the pond, or floating among vegetation, sometimes in low vegetation near water. The call is a rapidly repeated burst of 10-20 short notes with an almost whistling quality - "tweee tweee tweee twee twee....".

The call of the alpine subspecies (Litoria verreauxi alpina) is a slower and less-whistling call than the more common Litoria verreauxi verreauxi.

Life cycle

Distinguishing characteristics

The alpine form of Verreaux's Tree Frog (Litoria verreauxi alpina) Copyright Wildlife Profiles. Photograph by Peter Robertson.

+ 66 kb The alpine form of Verreaux's Tree Frog (Litoria verreauxi alpina)

Adult length: 25-40mm.
500 - 1000 pigmented eggs in jelly clumps are usually attached to submerged vegetation. The tadpoles are pale yellow to dark grey with clear fins. Adults have large dark or black patches on the sides and in the groin, usually on a diffuse yellow background.

Similar species

Distinguished from Litoria ewingi and Litoria paraewingi by the dark or black blotches on its sides and by having pads only as wide as, and not wider than, its digits. It is distinguished from Litoria lesueuri by having a hidden or indistinct tympanum.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognised. Litoria verreauxi verreauxi throughout most of the range and Litoria verreauxi alpina (sometimes known as the Alpine Tree Frog) in alpine areas between Marysville and Canberra. They are best distinguished by their calls, Litoria verreauxi alpina having a slower and less-whistling call.